Floribunda rose plant named &#39;KORFLOCI109&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘KORfloci109’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of a compact and upright growth habit, moderate plant vigor, very good resistance to common rose diseases, and panicles of one to five very-double orange flowers with a light fragrance. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and grafting and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘KORfloci109’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORfloci109’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by the inventor in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The objective of the said breeding program was to create a new and distinct rose plant with unique qualities, such as:

-   -   1. Uniform, compact growth and uniform flowering; and     -   2. Abundant, recurrent orange flowers; and     -   3. Attractive and abundant foliage; and     -   4. Resistance to diseases encountered in landscapes and gardens.

This combination of qualities is not present in prior rose cultivars known to the inventor. These objectives have been substantially achieved and in that distinguish ‘KORfloci109’ from all other varieties known to the inventor.

‘KORfloci109’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled pollination of an unnamed Rosa hybrida seedling developed and owned by the same inventor, the seed parent, and Rosa hybrida ‘NOA74800’ (unpatented), the pollen parent, during the summer of 2007. As part of a rose development program, Tim-Hermann Kordes germinated seeds from the aforementioned hybridization during the following winter and conducted evaluations and observations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The resulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biological characteristics. The new rose plant was selected as a single plant in May of 2008 from the seedling beds due to its superior characteristics and asexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctive rose variety was given the name ‘KORfloci109’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘KORfloci109’ was first asexually propagated by bud grafting in July of 2008 at the inventor's nursery in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. Subsequently, ‘KORfloci109’ has been successfully propagated by stem cuttings and bud grafting in Jackson County, Oreg. These initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments demonstrate that ‘KORfloci109’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘KORfloci109’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘KORfloci109’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfloci109’ exhibits a moderately vigorous         growth rate; and     -   2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfloci109’ exhibits a compact and upright         growth habit; and     -   3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfloci109’ exhibits panicles bearing one to         five orange flowers; and     -   4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfloci109’ exhibits medium, very-double         flowers with a light fragrance; and     -   5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfloci109’ exhibits very good resistance to         rust, black spot disease, Botrytis and powdery mildew.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics of the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, and stems of ‘KORfloci109’, taken from a one year old plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORfloci109’, based upon observations made in August of 2016 of one year old, greenhouse-grown container plants in Jackson County, Oreg. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORfloci109’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORfloci109’ and comparisons with the parents and closest known comparator variety of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth habit.—Compact and upright.         -   Mature dimensions.—60 cm tall and 50 cm wide, on average.         -   Cold hardiness.—Grown successfully in USDA Hardiness Zones             6.         -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings and bud grafting.         -   Disease resistance.—Very good resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa), blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae), rust             (Phragmidium sp.) and Botrytis diseases under normal growing             conditions in Jackson County, Oreg. -   Root system:     -   -   Type.—Fibrous root system.         -   Branching.—Moderately branched.         -   Density.—Moderately dense.         -   Distribution.—Roots distributed evenly throughout the soil             profile, from shallow to deep. -   Stems:     -   -   Stem color.—Young stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A; mature             stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A.         -   Anthocyanin intonations.—None present.         -   Stem surface texture.—Both young stems and mature stems are             smooth.         -   Stem dimensions.—Typical mature stems are approximately 400             mm long and 9.0 mm in diameter.         -   Prickles.—Incidence — Typically 10 prickles per 10 cm of             stem, on mature stems; approximately 20 small prickles per             10 cm of stem on young wood. Size — Average length is 7.0 mm             long. Immature prickle color — Greyed-Orange Group N 170C.             Mature prickle color — Greyed-Orange Group 174B. Shape —             Deeply concave. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary             leaves consisting of 7 leaflets.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Dimensions.—120 mm long and 90 mm wide.         -   Abundance.—Average; approximately 30 to 40 leaves.         -   Stipules.—Size — 15 mm long and 5.0 mm wide. Stipule color —             Yellow-Green Group 146C. Anthocyanin intonations — None             present. Stipitate glands — A limited number of stipitate             glands are present on the margins and on the abaxial             surface. Margins — Serrulate. Texture, adaxial surfaces —             Glabrous. Texture, abaxial surfaces — Leathery. Apex —             Apiculate. Base — Winged.         -   Petiole.—Length — Average 10 mm. Diameter — Average 3.0 mm.             Petiole color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146C.             Petiole color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146B.             Anthocyanin intonations — None present. Margins — With a few             stipitate glands. Prickles — Present. Stipitate glands — A             limited number of stipitate glands are present on the             margins of the adaxial surface, and also on the abaxial             surface. Texture — Glabrous. Strength — Strong.         -   Rachis.—Length — Ranges from 20 mm. Diameter — Average             3.0 mm. Color — Yellow-Green Group 1468. Anthocyanin             intonations — None present. Margins — With very few             stipitate glands present. Prickles — 2 to 3 prickles             underneath. Stipitate glands — A limited number of stipitate             glands are present. Texture — Glabrous.         -   Leaflets.—Dimensions — Average size of the terminal leaflet             is 55 mm long and 35 mm wide. Shape — Ovate. Apex — Acute.             Base — Obtuse. Margins — Serrulate; no undulation. Luster,             texture and pubescence; adaxial surface — Semi-glossy,             leathery and glabrous. Luster, texture and pubescence;             abaxial surface — Matte, leathery and glabrous. Juvenile             foliage color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146B.             Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group             146C. Mature foliage color, adaxial surface — Green Group             137A. Mature foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green             Group 147B. Anthocyanin intonations — In juvenile foliage,             intonations of Greyed-Orange Group 170A to 170B are present             throughout the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Venation —             Reticulate. Petiolule — Dimensions — 2.0 mm long and 2.0 mm             in diameter. Petiolule color, adaxial surface — Green Group             137A. Petiolule color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group             146D. Prickles — None present. Texture, adaxial and abaxial             surfaces — Leathery. Margins — With a few stipitate glands             present. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Panicles with 1 to 5 flower buds.             Flowers are held upright to slightly pendant.         -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent; floriferous.         -   Size.—100 mm tall and 70 mm wide, on average.         -   Peduncle.—Length — 50 to 60 mm average length. Diameter —             4.0 to 6.0 mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group             146B. Anthocyanin intonations — None present. Strength —             Strong. Texture and pubescence — With fine prickles, no             stipitate glands, and glabrous. -   Flowering laterals—Present below the initiation of inflorescence.     Generally one flowering lateral is present, with 1 flower per     flowering shoot. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud form.—Short; pointed ovoid.         -   Size.—Upon opening, 30 mm in length from base of receptacle             to distal end of bud and 25 mm diameter at its widest point.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—Orange-Red Group 32A.         -   Color when one-quarter open, inner side.—Marginal zone —             Orange-Red Group 32A. Middle zone — Orange-Red Group 32A.             Basal zone — Green-Yellow Group 1A.         -   Color when one-quarter open, outer side.—Marginal zone —             Orange Group 29B. Middle zone — Orange Group 29B. Basal zone             — Green-Yellow Group 1A. -   Flower:     -   -   Pedicel.—Length — 50 to 90 mm average length. Diameter — 3.0             to 5.0 mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B.             Anthocyanin intonations — None present. Strength — Strong to             somewhat strong. Texture and pubescence — Glabrous, with             numerous stipitate glands.         -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with             weak foliaceous appendages present on one to two of the five             sepals. Diameter of calyx — 8 mm, at anthesis. Sepals —             Color, upper surface — Yellow-Green Group 147C. Color, lower             surface — Green Group 137C. Anthocyanin intonations — None             present. Size — 30 mm long and 12 mm wide, on average. Apex             — Apiculate. Base — Flat at union with receptacle. Quantity             — Five. Upper surface — Moderately pubescent. Lower surface             — Lightly pubescent. Margins — Pubescent with a few             stipitate glands.         -   Corolla.—Habit; type — Very-double. General shape of corolla             — Rosette. Shape of corolla when viewed from the side — Upon             opening, upper portion — Flat. Upon opening, lower portion —             Flattened convex. Open flower, upper portion — Flat. Open             flower, lower portion — Concave. Dimensions — Medium size             for a floribunda rose. When open, the average flower             diameter is 60 to 70 mm and the average flower height is             40 mm. Fragrance — Light fruity fragrance with a slight             scent of myrrh. Duration — On the plant for 5 to 6 days.             Senesced petals drop away cleanly. Petals — Petal count —             Exhibits very double flowers with an average of 75 petals             under normal conditions. Petal reflex — Petals are strongly             reflexed. Timing of petal reflex — Simultaneous. Petal             margin — Entire. Petal shape — Obovate. Apex — Obtuse. Base             — Obtuse. Dimensions — 25 to 30 mm long and 15 to 30 mm             wide. Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer             surface — Smooth. Petal color, upon opening — Outermost             petals, inner surface — Orange-Red Group 326. Outermost             petals, outer surface — Orange Group 256 to 25C. Innermost             petals, inner surface — Orange-Red Group 33A. Innermost             petals, outer surface — Orange-Red Group 33B. Basal petal             spots, upon opening — Outermost petals — Color, inner             surface — Green-Yellow Group 1B. Color, outer surface —             Green-Yellow Group 1B. Dimensions — 10 mm wide and 7.0 mm             tall. Innermost petals — Color, inner surface — Green-Yellow             Group 1B. Color, outer surface — Green-Yellow Group 1B.             Dimensions — 10 mm wide and 7.0 mm tall. Petal color, after             opening — Outermost petals, inner surface — Orange-Red Group             32C. Outermost petals, outer surface — Orange Group 25C.             Innermost petals, inner surface — Orange-Red Group 326.             Innermost petals, outer surface — Orange Group 296. Basal             petal spots, after opening — Outermost petals — Color, inner             surface — Yellow Group 2A. Color, outer surface — Yellow             Group 2B. Dimensions — 15 mm wide and 8.0 mm tall. Innermost             petals — Color, inner surface — Green-Yellow Group 1A.             Color, outer surface — Yellow Group 2B. Dimensions — 10 mm             wide and 6.0 mm tall. General Tonality — On open flower,             Orange-Red Group 32B. No change in general tonality at the             end of the fourth day; thereafter the general tonality is             Orange-Red Group 33C to 33D. Petaloids — Quantity — 10 to 25             petaloids per flower, on average. Dimensions — Approximately             4.0 to 8.0 mm long and 3.0 to 6.0 mm wide. Color, inner             surface — Highly variable, but generally: Marginal zone —             Orange-Red Group 32B. Middle zone — Orange-Red Group 32B.             Basal zone — Yellow Group 3A. Color, outer surface —             Marginal zone — Orange-Red Group 32B. Middle zone —             Orange-Red Group 32B. Basal zone — Yellow Group 3B. Margins             — Entire; reflexed. Shape — Deltoid to ovate. Apex — Obtuse.             Base — Attenuate. Texture, inner and outer surfaces —             Smooth. -   Repwductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 30, on average, and             regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Shape —             Reniform. Dimensions — 3.0 mm long and 2.0 mm wide, on             average. Color — Greyed-Orange Group 163C. Pollen — Present;             moderately abundant. Color is Greyed-Orange Group N167A.             Filaments — Color — Yellow Group 9B. Length — 7.0 mm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Few; approximately 16. Stigmas — Size —             2.0 mm. Location — Superior in position to anthers. Color —             Greyed-Yellow Group 162C. Styles — Length — Approximately             6.0 mm long. Color — Green-White Group 157B, with strong             intonations of Red Group 46B.         -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 4.0 mm long and 3.0 mm in diameter.             Color — White Group 155C.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Funnel-shaped. Dimensions —             Approximately 10 mm high and 6.0 mm wide. Surface texture             and pubescence — Smooth and glabrous, with occasional             stipitate glands. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B. -   Hips and seed formation: Not observed. -   Comparisons with the parents:

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed Rosa hybrida seedling, by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘KORfloci109’ Unnamed seed parent Growth habit. Compact. Upright. Flower color. Orange. Yellow. Flower type; petal count. Double. Semi-double.

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Rosa hybrida ‘NOA74800’, by the characteristics described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘KORfloci109’ ‘NOA74800’ Bloom period. Medium. Very early. Flower size. Large. Medium. Flower type; petal count. Double. Semi-double.

-   Comparison with the most similar Rosa cultivar known to the     inventor:

For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORfloci08’, a rose variety from the same inventor which is described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,362, are compared to ‘KORfloci109’ in Chart 3.

CHART 3 Characteristic ‘KORfloci109’ ‘KORfloci08’ Prickle shape. Deeply concave. Concave. Bud color as sepals unfold. Orange-Red Group Orange-Red Group 32A. 34A. Flower type; petal count. 60 to 70. 40 to 45. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘KORfloci1 09’, as described and illustrated herein. 